How to Program Auto-Stop on a Lift Tech Direct-Drive Boat Lift — Step-by-Step Guide

Why set Auto-Stop?

Lift Tech’s Auto-Stop prevents over-travel of your lift — stopping the motor automatically at user-set upper and lower positions so your boat won’t poke through a canopy or the winch won’t back-wind. It’s a one-time setup that protects the lift and your boat and makes operation worry-free for family or guests. Below is a step by step guide, provided by The Dockman to help you program autostop into your boat lift.

Quick Checklist

1. Prep: secure the boat, have remote in hand, wear safety gear.
2. Enter programming mode — remote shows a fast-flashing green LED when ready.
3. Move cradle to lower position (cable slack/lowest safe point), press LOCK to store.
4. Move cradle to upper position (boat in lift, not touching canopy), press LOCK to store.
5. Confirm LED shows both limits set (solid green) and test by holding UP and DOWN — motor should stop automatically.
6. To clear limits: press LOCK, LOCK, LIGHT within 5 seconds to reset.

Full step-by-step guide

What you’ll need

• Lift Tech direct-drive motor with Auto-Stop (remote or control panel)
• Remote/pendant with UP, DOWN, LOCK, LIGHT buttons
• A spotter (recommended)
• Gloves and eye protection (recommended)
• Your boat secured in the lift for setting the top limit

1) Safety first

• Keep hands and clothing away from moving parts.
• Remove passengers and gear that could shift while the lift moves.
• Make sure the lift is on stable, level ground and the boat is secure.

2) Power up & check LED state

Power the lift and hold the remote near the winch box. Observe the green LED on the control or winch box:

• No positions set: green LED blinks fast.
• One position set: green LED blinks slower.
• Both positions set: green LED shows solid green.

3) Set the lower (down) limit

1. Press and hold DOWN on the remote to lower the cradle slowly.
2. Lower it until the cable shows a slight slack or the cradle reaches the lowest safe point you want.
3. Press LOCK once to record the lower limit. The LED should switch to a slower flash.

4) Set the upper (up) limit

1. Press and hold UP on the remote until the cradle reaches the upper limit you want. Best practice: have the boat in the cradle and stop when the boat is near but not touching the canopy.
2. Press LOCK once to record that upper position. The green LED should now show solid, meaning both positions are stored.

5) Test the limits

• With the remote, hold DOWN continuously — the motor should automatically stop at the stored lower limit.
• Repeat by holding UP — it should stop at the upper limit.

6) Reset / Clear stored limits (if you need to start over)

To clear position limits and start fresh, use the remote sequence: LOCK, LOCK, LIGHT — pressed in sequence within about 5 seconds. After clearing, the green LED will return to the “no limits set” pattern and you can re-program.

Troubleshooting & tips

• LED never changes / limits not saving: make sure you pressed LOCK at the correct position and that the remote batteries are good.
• Motor runs opposite direction: check the gear head rotation setting; contact your installer if needed.
• Unit won’t accept limits after manual movement: clear limits and re-program.
• Set the upper limit with the boat on the lift — that’s the best real-world reference for clearance.

Pro installer tip

A good method for setting the lower position is to watch for a quick visual cue — when the cable goes slack — then press LOCK. For the upper position, always set it with the boat in place to ensure safe clearance under the canopy.